On October 6, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology released Meaningful Use-Stage 2 modifications and Stage 3 final rules.

Fewer than half of physicians have met Stage 2 Meaningful Use requirements and, despite a promise to add flexibility to reporting requirements in 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a proposed rule for Stage 3 of the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program that some stakeholders say is anything but flexible.

Responding to pressure from physicians, hospitals and lawmakers, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to give electronic health record (EHR) users more flexibility in meeting the requirements of its meaningful use program.

Many physicians feel they're between a rock and a hard place. If they're participating in the Medicare side of the Meaningful Use program, have attested before, and don't attest to MU2 this year, they'll not only lose financial incentives but will be subject to penalties in 2017.